U.S. EPA Approves Shell's Exploration of Chukchi Sea

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted Shell approval to explore in the Alaskan Chukchi Sea. In 2008, Shell paid US $2.1 billion to explore for oil and natural gas on three proposed drill sites: the Burger prospect, the Crackerjack prospect, and the SW Shoebill prospect. The EPA air permits awarded to Shell allow the emissions of a drilling ship and support vessels, however the operator still needs the final Beaufort Sea air permit to move forward with their 2010 drilling program. Shell anticipates initial drilling activity will begin at the Burger prospect using theFrontier Discoverer drillship.